Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
381. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason charity shops are not eligible for restart grants; and if she will consider amending the terms of the grant to include them. [12193/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant is aimed at commercial business. We have sought to prioritise commercial entities that are totally dependent on their trading income which in turn creates paid employment locally and will drive economic activity and get money circulating. Within our limited funding, the aim is to get these businesses back up and running, trading as normally as possible so that they can retain employees.
Charity Shops, which are not solely dependent on trading for their income are not eligible on the grounds that they may have access to fundraising or contributions from a parent organisation or other sources.
The €250m Restart Grant is just one of a range of supports provided by the Government to support businesses, employers and employees on foot of the crisis.
My colleagues Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, on Friday, 8th May announced the launch of a €40 million package of supports specifically for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. The package consists of:
- A €35 million ‘COVID-19 Stability Fund’ which will provide a level of support to qualifying organisations who are most in need and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis; and
- A €5m Government commitment to a Philanthropy Fund, (Innovate Together) which will focus on supporting responses to the COVID-19 crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges.
The Stability Fund is being administered by Pobal and the Government will continue to support the needs of different sectors with well-tailored and targeted initiatives.
